Upper School Art Teacher - Ceramics

Summary

The Ceramics Faculty role is a creative, skilled, and student-centered teaching position within the Upper School Visual Arts Department at Principia School. The teacher leads foundation through advanced ceramics courses, guiding students in hand-building, wheel-throwing, glazing, and sculptural processes within a safe, inclusive, and process-driven studio environment. Through thoughtful instruction and mentorship, the ceramics faculty member fosters technical skill, creative risk-taking, critical thinking, and the development of each student’s artistic voice.

Depending on experience and departmental needs, the ceramics faculty member may also contribute to additional visual arts courses such as Painting, Sculpture, or Integrated Studies, and collaborate on interdisciplinary projects. As a member of Principia’s close-knit, mission-driven community, this role includes participation in curriculum development, student advising, and broader school life while supporting Principia’s commitment to character education, creative exploration, and spiritual growth grounded in Christian Science values.

Who We Are

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends. 

At Principia School, our core value is LOVE. Love and its attributes underpin our foundational beliefs as well as our educational approach. We focus on developing the whole child—intellectually, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, preparing students for the next steps in life. We foster a challenging yet supportive environment where character unfolds naturally, and talent is cultivated through boundless opportunities. Character education plays an essential role in every aspect of the student experience, and classroom work is augmented by character trips, leadership development, and real-world, hands-on, project-based learning.

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

Primary Responsibilities  

• Teach Ceramics and Art courses for grades 9–12 at foundation through advanced levels, emphasizing creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, visual literacy, craftsperson-ship, and student voice
• Design authentic and transferable learning experiences that connect studio practice to students’ lived experiences, contemporary issues, sustainability, and community
• Evaluate student learning using clear rubrics that emphasize process, habits, and final work, providing constructive feedback that supports student agency
• Support students in portfolio development, exhibitions, and community-based art opportunities
• Demonstrate strong commitment to working with a wide range of students, helping each feel successful and recognize their unlimited potential
• Prepare students to be thoughtful, informed, and active citizens through inquiry, reflection, and artmaking
• Integrate character education naturally into daily classroom and studio instruction
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues, coaches, parents, houseparents, and administrators to support shared curricular, instructional, and student-life goals
• Support mutual curricular and instructional goals with Upper School colleagues through regular communication and collaboration
• Participate as an active member of the Visual Arts Department through weekly meetings, collaborative planning, curriculum development, and program review
• Manage and maintain the ceramics studio and equipment, including kilns, wheels, pug mill, slab roller, tools, and safety procedures
• Oversee clay and glaze systems, including reclaiming and recycling materials using an industry-grade pug mill
• Manage the studio budget and procurement of materials with sustainability and responsible resource use in mind

Secondary Responsibilities

• Demonstrates a strong interest and commitment to working with a wide range of students, helping them feel successful and recognize their unlimited potential
• Demonstrates commitment to preparing students to be thoughtful, informed, and active citizens
• Recognizes character education as an essential and natural part of daily classroom and ensemble instruction
• Collaborates effectively with colleagues, coaches, parents, houseparents, and administrators to support shared curricular, instructional, and student-life goals
• Supports mutual curricular and instructional goals with Upper School colleagues through collaboration and regular communication
• Participates as a member of a departmental team, including attending at weekly meetings and collaborative planning
• Serves as an advisor to a group of 8-10 Upper School students
• Supports innovative and engaging student recruitment and retention efforts
• Pursues ongoing professional development, applies best educational practices, and contributes to a professional learning community focused on continuous improvement.
• Participates in required professional development on Monday and Wednesday afternoons
• Fulfills all responsibilities expected of a faculty member, including curriculum development, lesson planning, grading and assessment, administrative tasks, meetings, supervision, family communication, and participation in school events as assigned
• Lead and mentor small groups of students as a Crew Leader, including oversight during fall Character Trips and active participation in House activities
• Attends and supports curricular trips, festivals, service-learning performance opportunities, and school activities, including chaperoning social events and travel
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of the school’s mission and programmatic needs